TODD
Todd is a surname that can be traced to both English and Scottish origins. The name derives from the Middle English word todde, meaning fox, and it was originally used as a nickname for a person thought to resemble a fox either in cleverness, quickness or, more literally, in red hair. The nickname was later adopted as a hereditary surname and passed down through successive generations.
The earliest recorded spelling of the name dates back to 1168, when a man named Hugo Tod was documented in Norfolk during the reign of King Henry of England, known as the “Builder of Churches”. Subsequent medieval records in the north of England and Scotland further attest to the surname’s use. For example, Richard Todd appears in a 1231 record from Northumberland and Richard le Todde is noted in 1275 in Worcestershire.
In the late sixteenth century the surname continued to flourish. On 12 December 1586, David Todd married Margaret Ashleby at St. Mary Somerset in London, while the following year on 2 October 1587, Annes Todd was united with Franncis Carrowe at St. Peter Eastcheap, also in London. These marriages illustrate the family's established presence in the capital during that era.
The name Todd also made its way to the New World in the early seventeenth century. In 1622, a 23‑year‑old Robert Todd sailed aboard the vessel known as “The Hopewell” to the settlement of “Elizabeth Cittie” on the Hampton River in Virginia. Earlier, a record from Yorkshire notes the marriage of Robert Todd to Jane Storrow on 15 January 1616 at Wensley, indicating the name’s spread throughout northern England.
In modern times, the surname Todd remains relatively common and can be found worldwide. Its earliest roots, however, lie firmly in the vernacular and social fabric of the British Isles, where it evolved from a descriptive nickname to a lasting family designation.
Typical given names associated with the Todd surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Christine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Gillian
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Todd in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Todd are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Digestive.
There are approximately 30,296 people named Todd in the UK. That makes it the 265th most common surname in Britain. Around 465 in a million people in Britain are named Todd.
Surname type: Nickname
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Todd
- Richard Todd - Irish-British actor (1919 to 2009)
- Ann Todd - Actress (1909 to 1993)
- Ken Todd - Association football player and coach
- Bob Todd - Actor (1921 to 1992)
- Tony Todd - American actor and producer
- Peta Todd - Glamour model and Page Three girl
- Colin Todd - Football player; football manager
- Michael J. Todd - Chief constable (1957 to 2008)
- Andy Todd - Football
- Barbara Euphan Todd - Writer (1890 to 1976)
- Alexander R. Todd - Biochemist (1907 to 1997)
- Janet Todd - Academic
- Lee Todd - Football player
- J. A. Todd - Mathematician (1908 to 1994)
- Will Todd - Composer
- Mark Todd - Politician
- Matthew H. Todd - Chemist
- Margaret Todd - Scottish medical doctor, schoolteacher and writer (1859 to 1918)
- Chris Todd - Football player
- Charles Todd - Australian civil servant and astronomer (1826 to 1910)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.